The company line within the SEC is that no other conference matches the gauntlet of its conference schedule. Perhaps, but it's also true that no other conference plays as many cupcake games as the SEC.

That's a sticking point for the Big Ten as the conferences try to reach an agreement on a College Football Playoff format for 2026 and beyond. The Big Ten wants the SEC to join it in playing nine conference games. The SEC, so far, keeps standing its ground at eight. That difference in conference scheduling remains a hurdle in playoff negotiations, according to multiple reports.

Can a compromise be struck to end this stalemate?

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams dig into the latest on the playoff format squabbling, the SEC's scheduling debate, and the battle of rhetoric between the SEC and the Big Ten.

Would the SEC be smart to stay at eight games, or should it give in to the Big Ten? Also, is the Big Ten's request reasonable?

Later in the episode, were we a little too quick to write off Dabo Swinney? Clemson looks loaded up for a run at national championship contention.

If the Tigers wore an SEC logo patch, would they be the preseason No. 1 team? Adams says yes.

The company line within the SEC is that <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2025/06/06/sec-big-ten-challenge-college-football-playoff/83994643007/" aria-label="Link no other conference matches the gauntlet">no other conference matches the gauntlet</a> of its conference schedule. Perhaps, but it's also true that no other conference plays <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2025/06/05/sec-football-schedule-cfp-bracket-format/83994621007/" aria-label="Link as many cupcake games">as many cupcake games</a> as the SEC.
That's <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/06/20/college-football-playoff-format-sec-big-ten/84242745007/" aria-label="Link a sticking point for the Big Ten">a sticking point for the Big Ten</a> as the conferences try to reach an agreement on a College Football Playoff format for 2026 and beyond. The Big Ten wants the SEC to join it in playing nine conference games. The SEC, so far, keeps standing its ground at eight. That difference in conference scheduling remains a hurdle in playoff negotiations, according to multiple reports.
Can a compromise be struck to end this stalemate?
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/staff/2647548001/john-adams/" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> dig into the latest on the playoff format squabbling, the SEC's scheduling debate, and the battle of rhetoric between the SEC and the Big Ten.
Would the SEC be smart to stay at eight games, or should it give in to the Big Ten? Also, is the Big Ten's request reasonable?
Later in the episode, were we a <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/acc/2025/06/13/clemson-football-dabo-swinney-transfer-portal/84120272007/" aria-label="Link little too quick to write off Dabo Swinney">little too quick to write off Dabo Swinney</a>? Clemson looks loaded up for a run at national championship contention.
If the Tigers wore an SEC logo patch, would they be the preseason No. 1 team? Adams says yes.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered

Is the SEC too chicken to beef up its schedule?

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